Overview
- Police and military teams responded to reports in the early hours on Sunday and found three vans near RAF Fairford that prompted evacuations and a major security cordon.
- Counter Terrorism Policing said extensive forensic checks found no improvised explosive devices but did recover a quantity of petrol from the vehicles.
- Five British men in their early-to-mid 20s were arrested on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences and were released on strict police bail while inquiries continue.
- US officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio publicly suggested foreign involvement while Iran’s embassy in London denied any role and UK police say they are pursuing multiple lines of inquiry.
- Police expect to lift on-site cordons around Wednesday as the criminal and intelligence investigations continue, a development that could lead to heightened security measures and political scrutiny of intelligence sharing and local safeguards.